Newfoundland and Labrador asks MPs, senators to state position on fisheries fund
The government of Newfoundland and Labrador is calling on the province's MPs and senators to state their position on its fight over a $400-million federal-provincial fisheries fund it says Ottawa is not honouring.
Premier Paul Davis has said the federal government should be accountable for its promised $280-million share of a fund he says was in exchange for the province giving up minimum processing requirements for fish plants as part of a free trade agreement with the European Union.
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The Prime Minister's Office has said an unspecified amount is available for direct losses in the fisheries sector but no "blank cheque" was ever offered.
Davis has threatened to reconsider the province's support for the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement with the EU if the dispute can't be resolved.
The provincial government said Friday it plans to take its concerns over the coming weeks to the European Union and to Canadian industry and exporter groups.
In a news release, it said it has heard from the federal NDP who have committed to honouring the $400-million deal.